Next February will mark the 85th anniversary of the disastrous Hawke's Bay earthquake. To commemorate the event, survivors of the 7.8 magnitude quake will come together for a special commemoration.
The 2016 event will take place on Sunday the 31st of January, three days before the official commemoration of the earthquake which struck on the 3rd of February 1931.
The quake left 256 people dead.
Napier Deputy Mayor Fay White who coordinates the event says, “This will be a particularly special occasion for our senior citizens who survived this life-changing event, and will be a lovely time for them to meet up with old friends and share memories.”
The afternoon tea is an event supported by the community and has been going for 16 years. It was established to pay tribute to those who survived the earthquake. The oldest survivor is 103 and was 18 at the time. The youngest is 85 and was only a few hours old.
Napier Boys' High School will host the event consisting of live music from the era and a guest speaker. Students and volunteers from the sponsor organisations providing food and equipment will also serve afternoon tea.